College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

86 Ranked Colleges
5,797 Degrees Awarded
$9,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 49,282 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,387 and had an average of $23,175 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,797 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,195 and $24,420 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 86 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science and government. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science and government programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the political science and government program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Political Science Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 139 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,777 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UChicago.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UChicago Political Science & Government Report

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 140 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $917 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Northwestern Political Science & Government Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 285 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

U-M also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend U-M.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 447 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $4,788 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UW - Madison

5
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 135 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $5,853 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Purdue University - Main Campus

6

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 141 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at IU Bloomington

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 257 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

8
Kenyon crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio

Kenyon College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Gambier, Ohio, and it awarded 26 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Kenyon also took the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,974 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kenyon College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Kenyon College

9
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 204 students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Notre Dame is $9,136 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Notre Dame Political Science & Government Report

10

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 277 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $8,581 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Ohio State Political Science & Government Report

11
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Beloit, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,873 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Beloit.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Beloit

12

With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 33 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

13
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oberlin College is a small school located in Oberlin, Ohio that handed out 49 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Oberlin also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oberlin is $13,745 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Oberlin College

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UIC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,351 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Chicago

15

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $10,075 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UW - La Crosse

16
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

With a ranking of #16, Denison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Granville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Denison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Denison University is $14,686 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Denison Political Science & Government Report

17

University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 12 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $9,478 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Political Science & Government Report

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UIS is $8,482 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIS Political Science & Government Report

19
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #19, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 44 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,839 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Oakland University

20
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #20, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 152 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $15,170 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Michigan State University

21
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 27 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Ball State University

22

With a ranking of #22, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. USI is a medium-sized public school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 22 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for USI is $10,440 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at USI

23

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UM Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,465 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Michigan - Dearborn

24
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 68 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $11,414 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Wayne State University

25

Purdue University Northwest came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Purdue University Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Hammond, Indiana that handed out 11 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Northwest is $8,608 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Purdue Northwest Political Science & Government Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options